New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley hasn’t spent as much time in the spotlight as expected this season. On the one hand, Barkley has struggled to stay healthy during his comeback year and to keep up on the pitch after sustaining other injuries. And when Barkley was on the pitch, his production didn’t look like his rookie season. In some ways, the former No. two overall pick has faded into a back-end position for the time being and is far from the star player who is expected to play a major role in the offense.

Barkley has also had a somewhat low profile off the pitch. It’s natural, of course. With his numbers dropping this season, there hasn’t been much to say other than the usual statements about the need to run.

Lately, we haven’t even heard much from Barkley. The case raised eyebrows on Tuesday, as Joe Judge answered a few questions about why Barkley, a team captain, did not appear after the game last Sunday or at Monday’s press conference.

According to the judge, Barkley’s absence was not serious.

“I can tell you with certainty that after the game was over he was receiving his normal treatment and was with the coaches for a good period. Between that, the shower, the dressing, we were obviously going back by bus, there was a kind of rushed emphasis on getting everyone out of the locker room yesterday, ”said the judge.

The judge was questioned again on this matter, but received no further response. Instead, he more or less said he would verify the matter with Senior Vice President of Communications Pat Hanlon.

Saquon Barkley does not speak: a non-controversy?

It is questionable whether Barkley’s absence in recent press conferences should be controversial, but it shows a change from the start of the season. There was a lot of optimism surrounding Barkley’s return in the offseason, even amid news that Barkley might not be one hundred percent back by the start of the season. And indeed, there was also optimism about the Giants in general around this time. Few thought the offense would get worse after the addition of a renowned free agency receiver and picking a first round against one.

But we got to that point anyway, and that optimism turned into the way it is now: end-of-season speculation about players checking out as the Giants limp in their final games while trying to get out. ” avoid further injuring yourself.

It might not mean anything. And we probably wouldn’t have gotten any new information if Barkley had spoken to the media. But that’s not to say that the captain’s absence is a good idea, and the fact that it’s a story as other teams enter the playoff race shows just how organized is currently late.